Research Paper Volume 14, Issue 22 pp 8944—8969

Figure 2. Neuroprotective and pro-angiogenic activities of ahNSCs. (A) Immunofluorescence for cleaved-caspase 3 was performed at 1 d after ahNSCs transplantation. Representative images show the immunostaining results of cleaved-caspase 3 (red) in the ipsilateral (infarct) area and contralateral (non-infarct) areas of each group (n = 3 for the control group, n = 3 for the HBSS group, n = 4 for the NSC group). Scale bar = 100 μm. (B) Percent of cleaved-caspase 3-positive cells were calculated and compared among the groups. Mean ± SEM. * P < 0.05. (C) Expression of Bax (23 kDa), Bcl-2 (26 kDa), and cleaved-caspase 3 (17/19 kDa) in the brains of ischemic stroke animal models (n = 3 for the control group, n = 3 for the HBSS group, n = 4 for the NSC group) was accessed by western blot analysis. The pictures show representative images. β-actin (43 kDa) = loading control. (D) Relative protein expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, and cleaved-caspase 3 was calculated and compared among the groups. Mean ± SD. * P < 0.05; ** P < 0.01; *** P < 0.001. (E) Immunofluorescence for endothelial cells marker, CD31, was performed at 28 d after ahNSCs transplantation. Representative images of the ipsilateral (infarct) or contralateral (non-infarct) areas of each group (n = 5 for the control group, n = 6 for the HBSS group, n = 5 for the NSC group) are shown. Scale bar = 100 μm. (F) The CD31 signal intensity per high power field was measured and then compared. Mean ± SEM. * P < 0.05; ** P < 0.01; *** P < 0.001.